Tap, tap, tap, I drummed my fingers on the kitchen table, what▓s up with me lately? I don▓t normally act like this; it▓s so bizarre, so strange, so out of the ordinary. Pausing from my self questioning I looked out the window my dad and Joey still hard at work fixing up the farm I promised myself I▓d help out later, but right now I wouldn▓t do them much good. I▓ve lost my ability to think straight and with my head constantly in the clouds I▓d do more harm than good, it would be best to wait and figure out what was wrong.
Well I could sum up why I felt this way in two words, my lips. My cursed lips had gotten me into another fine mess, I don▓t know what▓s gotten into me lately running around kissing two different guys in forty-eight hours, in my defence they both came on to me. It was so out of character it was unbelievable, especially since one of the guys was George Baxter. I wasn▓t sure how I felt about that, the George Baxter thing, on the one hand he was vain, self-centred, rude, narcissistic, full of him self and the son of my arch enemy, but on the other hand he was a confident, entertaining, passionate guy. I think, though, I should listen to the longer list, emphasising on the last factor, he was Baxter▓s son!
Maybe im being too harsh on him, is it wrong to just assume that a guy is untrustworthy because his fathers evil? And for all you know Robin he could be leading you on so that when you tell him the truth he can hand you over, I reminded myself. That▓s something else, dose he even know im Robin Hood? At first I thought he must because he lured me to his mansion, but he hasn▓t said anything about it, however he could just be biding his time, waiting for the right moment to run to his daddy, argh this is so confusing. The kettle (which I was boiling) clicked off; I got up and made myself a cuppa. Nothing like warm tea to calm your nerves, I sat back down at the table with my cup and went back to my thoughts.
And it wasn▓t like The Crusader was much better; I mean what do I actually know about him? Nothing that▓s what, he could be Robert Baxter himself for all I know (I shuddered at the thought of lip locking with Baxter) but I doubted that, something told me that The Crusader was an ok guy, his sincerity, his heroism, his passion, how safe I had felt in his arms, at times all this eclipsed the fact I didn▓t know the first thing about him. The phone rang giving me a moment to escape the confined spaces of my mind.
⌠Hello?■ I asked.
⌠Hi Robin.■ the calm tones of Mark replied.
⌠What▓s up?■ I asked suddenly concerned ⌠is everything alright?■
⌠Yeah everything▓s fine, well for the non paranoid portion of us that is■ I heard Will shout in the background ▒im not paranoid▓ ⌠We just wanted to call and see how you were; Will▓s mum told us you called in sick today.■
⌠Yeah■ I replied about to use the same lie from this morning ⌠upset stomach■ when actually I just needed time to clear my head.
⌠Too bad hope you get better soon, we▓ll let you know if anything happens┘■ He abandoned his sentence and I heard Will in the background again. ⌠Tell Robin, Robin▓ll understand.■ He shouted.
⌠Tell me what?■ I asked Mark.
⌠Will▓s losing it, and recons the P.A.B (Personal Army of Baxter) will come and knock down his door all because his mask came off in the museum.■ I thought back to last night, when Will had driven us home he was indeed not wearing his mask, at the time I▓d just assumed he▓d taken it off.
⌠Is there CCTV in the museum?■ I asked seeing Will▓s concern.
⌠Yes but the burglars who were left behind smashed the camera▓s and stole the tapes while we were chasing the others, the museum sends its thanks by the way.■ He said.
⌠Tell them it was no trouble■ I said referring to the museum staff ⌠well if there▓s no tapes to watch I doubt anyone will be able to see.■ Now I was referring to Will.
⌠That▓s what I said.■ Said Mark, I could hear Will mumbling in the background.
⌠Sorry Will.■ I said ⌠it▓s a good thing you know.■
⌠He says yeah.■ Mark said.
The door bell rang out, who▓d be calling in on me?
⌠Anyway I gotta go someone▓s at the door.■ I said.
⌠It▓s probably John he▓s on his way over with some timber for your dad.■ Mark said.
⌠Alright then, bye,■ I said.
⌠Bye.■ Mark replied, I put the phone down and made my way to the hallway, reaching the door I put my hand on the handle expecting to open it and find John stood merrily on the other side. It wasn▓t John though, it was George Baxter.
Even though there was a new found calmness between us (he wasn▓t criticising me and I wasn▓t biting his head off all the time) he still made me jump a mile. Today he looked different, he stood unsure of himself in the open doorway, his blue eyes wide and alert, his blond hair stuck out in ends and sat about his head in a messy fashion, his whole appearance created a sense of nervousness and although I▓d never seen him look this way before, I had to say I liked it. It made him look human, like a real person, it softened his edges and made me go weak at the knees his new rugged hard done by look, this was not helping.
⌠We need to talk.■ He said suddenly getting right to the point.
⌠Hi to you too,■ I snapped, well I did say all the time, and maybe if I focused on being cruel to him I wouldn▓t pay any attention to my traitorous heart doing back flips in my chest.
⌠It▓s important.■ He said by way of an apology.
⌠Ok then, talk.■ I said leaning against the door frame, this could be interesting. He looked down the lane at my dad and Joey working on the farm, at my mum▓s car in the driveway (she was upstairs cleaning) and then back to me.
⌠Let me take you out for a cup of tea instead?■ He asked.
⌠Why?■ I asked, had George Baxter just asked me out?
⌠It▓s not very private here.■ He replied looking to the ground and blushing, was I making George Baxter blush?
⌠Ok then, let me get my purse.■ I said giving in and shutting the door on his face, I ran upstairs grabbed my purse threw it in my white and silver hand bag shouted to my mum that I was going out and ran back down the stairs. I stopped, my hand on the door handle and stared in the hall mirror, my cheeks were flushed and I could see myself shaking, but other than that I looked fine, I swung open the door and stepped out into the cool afternoon air, a chilly summers breeze teased playfully with my hair sending it rippling it across my face.
⌠So where are we going?■ I asked walking up to him.
⌠I nice little place with absolutely amazing service, seriously you wouldn▓t believe how patient and caring the waitresses there are, it▓s called CafИ Locksley.■ He said with a playful smile, all nervousness now absent from his features.
⌠That▓s not funny.■ I replied sulkily, oh great CafИ Locksley.
CafИ Locksley.
⌠What are you doing here?■ Asked my boss Mr Jordans as we walked through the door, ⌠I thought I was shut of you today, your ment to be ill.■ It wouldn▓t have been so bad if he was actually joking.
⌠I▓ve come for a drink and im feeling a little better.■ I said trying to ignore his rude comment.
⌠Oh no not again■ He said spotting George ⌠would you like me to fine you a seat away from HER Mr Baxter? I promise you I will not allow a repeat of last time.■
Seriously the cheek of that guy, I was just about ready to give him a peace of my mind, who cared if I lost my job, it might actually be worth it, just to see the look on his face. But before I could say something that would have surely got me fired George intervened.
⌠That won▓t be necessary thank you■ He said to Jordans and then he turned to me and asked ⌠So what are you having?■
Jordans▓ jaw dropped.
⌠Just a tea please milk and sugar.■ I said with a smug grin at Jordans.
⌠At least share a slice of Victoria sponge cake with me■ He said ⌠you got to eat.■
I nodded my agreement and George ordered two teas with milk and sugar and a slice of Victoria sponge with two forks, we chose a table and sat down, I was suddenly aware of the eyes of all the regulars on my back. In no time at all Carrie had brought us our order, when she set down the plates she winked at me, you go girl it said.
⌠So,■ I said picking up a fork and cutting off a piece of Victoria sponge ⌠what▓d you bring me here for?■
George, who had been drinking his tea, took his time set down his cup and opened his mouth to speak; the words were almost out of his mouth when the ever tactful Mr Jordans interrupted.
⌠I trust that everything is to your liking Mr Baxter? Miss Hudson?■ you could tell it was killing him to talk to me like that, and I was loving it.
⌠Well┘ I don▓t mean to be a bother but my tea▓s a bit weak, you couldn▓t just?■ I asked handing him back my cup, I▓d probably get stick for it later but right now I didn▓t care.
⌠Of course,■ He replied though gritted teeth, George laughed at me.
⌠I▓ll never get tired of that.■ I said. ⌠So what were you saying?■
⌠Oh nothing, it▓ll wait.■ He said spooning a fork full of cake into his mouth, what was he up to? Fifteen minuets later we finished up, George insisted on paying the bill and we headed off down the high street.
⌠I can remember in year ten■ Said George; we were talking about Locksdale upper ⌠it was R.E I think, we were studying wealth and poverty, Mrs Watson asked for examples of poverty stricken places in the world, thinking that she▓d get Africa and Asia as responses.■
⌠She picked on you because you were staring out the window and you shrugged.■ I carried on the story.
⌠I didn▓t hear the question, so I didn▓t know what to say. You bit my head off, yet again, and said that I should be able to name a poverty stricken place since my family crated one.■ He said.
⌠Well I thought you were just trying to impress Courtney and her lot, it was like you didn▓t even care.■ I said it all made much more sense now, all those years we were at each others throats for no reason. I felt a little guilty about how I had been with him; I wasn▓t even sure how we had gotten on to this conversation but I was glad we had, it was clearing up any bad blood we had left between us. Well, besides the whole issue with his father.
⌠I had about as much interest in Courtney Beverly as you had in becoming my best friend.■ He said laughing at the idea. That was quite a good example actually. Though I wasn▓t sure that applied anymore.
⌠This time last year I wouldn▓t have thought it remotely likely that I could have a civilised conversation with you let alone share a slice of cake.■ I said thinking of how much things had changed.
⌠It was both of us, looks like we▓ve grown up is all.■ He said suddenly looking away. Something wasn▓t right.
⌠What▓s wrong?■ I asked gently placing my hand on his shoulder. He didn▓t answer, I persisted he couldn▓t fool me.
⌠George?■ I asked, and he laughed, not a funny laugh or a joyful laugh or even a sarcastic laugh, it was sad and hollow.
⌠You called me George, not Baxter.■ He said softly.
⌠I know, im sorry for that, for how I▓ve treat you for five years. But it was so hard you know, you grow up in a world where the name Baxter is pretty much a swear word, it was hard for me not to be prejudice against you.■ I said suddenly embarrassed for how I▓d treated him.
⌠It doesn▓t matter.■ He said, and I grinned at his chivalry.
⌠I really was all wrong about you weren▓t I?■ I asked. He was silent ⌠you▓re not vain or narcissistic or any of what I called you, your actually a pretty decent guy.■
⌠Don▓t change you opinion of me just yet.■ He said still not looking at me. This stopped me in my tracks.
⌠Why?■ I asked suddenly concerned.
⌠I haven▓t been all that straight with you■ He started ⌠I know who you are Robin, and what you do.■
⌠Phew,■ I sighed in relief ⌠you had me worried just then, I thought you know, I thought it was something serious for a minuet there.■ I said relived, I had guessed as much when he tricked me into coming to his house, I trusted him now so it didn▓t really matter, it was amazing what a few minuets in his company could do. He turned and looked at me his expression sombre and serious.
⌠George?■ I asked again.
⌠That▓s not all■ He said looking away again ⌠There▓s something else I haven▓t told you.■ I stopped walking and stood on the end of the high street watching him, this didn▓t sound good.
⌠Im listening.■ I said calmly.
⌠Im┘.■ He began only to be interrupted by an old beggar woman sat on the corner, the same old woman from two months ago.
⌠I was wondering when I▓d see you again.■ She said looking up at me.
⌠Its you!■ I said shocked to see her myself.
⌠Sure is.■ She replied.
⌠You know her?■ George asked me.
⌠Yes she knows me and so do you young Baxter.■ She said looking appalled he didn▓t remember her.
⌠Wait, how do you know her?■ I asked George.
⌠I don▓t.■ He said looking completely confused.
⌠Yes you do dragon boy,■ ▒dragon boy▓? was I missing something here? ⌠You just don▓t remember, but the dream was some months ago, so what did I expect?■ She said matter of factly.
⌠Wait, the dream? You don▓t mean the dream, the dream me and the others had, he had that too?■ I asked her, a look of recognition spread across George▓s face, he knew where this was going, well that made one of us.
⌠You didn▓t tell her?■ She asked looking him in the eye, he shook his head.
⌠Tell me what?■ I asked this definitely didn▓t sound good.
When George didn▓t answer (he was just looking at me opening and closing his mouth like a drowning fish) the mystical beggar woman spoke.
⌠I told you and your friends two months ago that it was your destiny to finish the job your ancestors started, that you were the descendants all of Robin Hood and his outlaws. What I didn▓t tell you was that there was two more of you, you found her on your own, the first one■ I thought of Jack, ok she was making sense so far ⌠But you had yet to find the second remaining outlaw, having received a similar dream to the rest of you the last outlaw went about his business as a merry man helping the poor and the rest of you when you needed it.■
⌠The Crusader.■ I said, things were slowly starting to make sense.
⌠Yes, but he is not technically one of you, everything went wrong, he was born into the wrong family and this looked set to ruin everything, it was unimaginable that a Baxter take the job, but it wasn▓t up to me so his job was to work from the inside, gather information ┘..■ She carried on but I interrupted cottoning on.
⌠Wait, he▓s the Crusader?■ I asked referring to George.
⌠Yes but┘■ She said but once again I interrupted.
⌠That▓s not possible I┘■ I trailed off my hand sprung to my lips ⌠I┘ we┘twice?■
He nodded, George was The Crusader, and I▓d kissed both of them, him. Oh I bet he thinks im a right slut.
⌠Yes and┘■ Yet again I cut her off.
⌠You lied to me.■ I said suddenly hurt ⌠You let me believe that you┘ that we┘■
I couldn▓t get my words out, if he▓d been lying about this, what else could he have been lying about?
⌠Robin I wanted to tell you.■ He said reaching out for me ⌠I was trying to tell you.■ He shot the woman a look.
⌠Sorry, if you▓d have done it when I▓d instructed you to we would be in this mess.■ She said.
⌠Don▓t touch me■ I said quietly shrugging away from him ⌠You lied to me.■
⌠Robin I wanted to tell you,■ George said looking wounded by my actions, forgive me for not caring.
⌠And how am I ment to believe that? You lied to me George!■ I said my voice rising as I became more infuriated.
⌠I know and im not proud of it, but to be fair you never told me who you were.■ He said defensively, I didn▓t react well to that.
⌠You knew! You knew who I was anyway. I never lead you on; I▓ve been me all along! Have you any idea how much guilt and confusion I▓ve had to put up with after kissing■ I mumbled the word kissing ⌠Both of you?■
⌠I know┘■ He started but I didn▓t let him finish.
⌠No you don▓t know!■ I snapped my voice rising ⌠How do I know you weren▓t lying about the other things? Hum? How do I know all of this isn▓t just some stunt to turn me in to your dad, and everything else was just part of the job, a sacrifice to endure for the good of the cause?!■
I couldn▓t take this, how could he? A lump grew in my throat and my eyes began to sting, no not here.
⌠Robin please■ He said taking both my hands in his ⌠How could you possibly think that, you know that▓s not possible, I want to help you, I care about you.■
I turned away; I couldn▓t look at him with that fake concerned face he wore.
⌠I was right about you■ I said pulling my hands from his grasp ⌠Like farther, like son.■
I walked away from him then.
⌠Robin.■ Both he and the woman said at the same time.
⌠I don▓t wanna hear anymore.■ I said and looked him straight in the eyes over my shoulder ⌠If you know what▓s good for you you▓ll stay away from me.■ And I walked away down the high street, and all the way back home, and not until I was behind the closed and locked door of my bedroom did I allow myself to cry.